Bee and wasp stings
All dogs are curious and just love to run and chase
things…including insects! Most of the time, bee and wasp
stings will only cause minor pain and irritation for your
dog.
If he is stung several times though, or is stung inside his
mouth and throat, it can be dangerous and will require a trip
to the vet. It's not the small puncture wound that causes the
pain of a sting but the small amount of poison that is
injected.
Which sting?
A bee's sting is barbed and designed to lodge in the skin,
killing the bee when it detaches from the body and leaving the
sting behind. Wasp stings are not barbed but are more painful,
and if provoked these insects can sting multiple times.
Most of the time dogs are stung on their faces after
investigating a stinging insect too closely. Stings on your
dog's sensitive nose are particularly painful. Some dogs may
even get stung on the tongue or inside their mouth or throat if
they try to bite or catch an insect. These stings can be
dangerous because of the swelling they cause which can close
your dog's throat and block the airway.
Reaction
A severe reaction can be caused by a large number of stings
or if the dog has an allergic response to the chemicals in the
sting. Signs of a severe reaction include general weakness,
difficulty breathing, and a large amount of swelling extending
away from the sting site. Watch out for swelling around the
neck, throat and head. If your dog is having a severe reaction,
you should quickly take him to a vet.
A simple sting can be safely left alone and shouldn't really
bother the dog for long. If the sting is still present, try to
remove it by scraping with a fingernail or a rigid piece of
card. Avoid using tweezers or forceps to remove it unless
absolutely necessary because this may squeeze more venom out of
the sting.
Applying a weak mixture of water and baking soda to the
affected area will help reduce the pain. You can also wrap ice
or an icepack in a towel and apply that to the wound to reduce
swelling and ease any pain.
Keep an eye on your dog after he's been stung to make sure
he doesn't develop an allergic reaction. If, after several
days, the swelling still persists, call your vet.